4M newborns examined for early detection of hearing loss in Egypt: Health Ministry

CAIRO - 2 March 2023: A total of 4.515 million children were examined for early detection and treatment of hearing loss and impairment for newborns, as part of a presidential initiative, according to a statement by the Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population on Thursday.

The initiative was launched in September 2019. A total of 253,981 children would be re-examined, a week after the first screening at the same unit, Health Ministry Spokesman Hossam Abdel Ghaffar said.

Around 28,670 children were sent after the second test to hospitals and referral centers nationwide for higher evaluation and the start of medical treatment or the installation of a hearing aid or the transfer of the child for cochlear implant in accordance to his/her condition, the spokesman said.

The numbers of examination centers were increased to cover 3,500 health units across all governorates to conduct audiological examinations for children from the day of birth to the age of 28 days, he added.